Wayne G. Byerly

Wayne G. Byerly, 77, died April 6, 2017, at Flagler Hospital. He was a loving father, devoted husband, exceptional leader, caring mentor and dedicated friend to many. He was born on April 30, 1939, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania and grew up in Baltimore until 1958, when his family moved to Maitland, Florida. He graduated from University of Florida in 1964, and received an MBA from Rollins College in 1967. He married in 1965 and moved to New Jersey in 1969, then to St. Augustine in 1987, where he happily spent the rest of his life.

His ascending career covered a wide range of jobs, but the highlight was his time as CEO of Metropolitan Hospital in Philadelphia, where he orchestrated the purchase of two other hospitals to create one of the first multi-hospital systems in the United States. He was too passionate and energetic to retire early, so he continued consulting and taught as an adjunct at Flagler College, along with overseeing the opening of the St Augustine Psychiatric Center. He provided over two decades of community service in St. Augustine, serving as chairman on multiple St. Johns County committees, including Young Life. For 14 years he was a youth mentor in the Take Stock in Children Scholarship Program.

His mind would never rest and he devoted time to educating himself on sciences, culture, technology, archaeology and history. Wayne loved his sports cars, poker nights with friends, crab boils and boating. His greatest passion was travel and taking in new cultures. He and Trudy went to all corners of the earth and welcomed over 20 foreign students in their home.

Wayne was charismatic and a touch mischievous, empathetic and caring, and able to find common ground with anyone. He touched the lives of so many people, and will be missed dearly.

His surviving family is Trudy Byerly, his wife of 51 years; daughter Deidre Byerly Kenney and her husband, Peter Kenney, who operate the Purple Olive restaurant which Wayne helped them establish; Hyde Kenney, his grandson who knew him as "Poppy;" and son Matthew Byerly, whom he encouraged to start his life anew in Scotland with his Polish wife, Ania Byerly.

A memorial service will be held at Craig Funeral Home in St. Augustine at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 17, with a reception to follow at 2:30 p.m. in Purple Olive. At his service the family will welcome speakers to share their memories and stories of Wayne's fantastic life.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Flagler College Fund for Scholarships, 74 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Craig Funeral Home, Crematory and Memorial Park www.craigfuneralhome.com is in charge of arrangements.